"Pietersen's brilliant innings infused England with a confidence that spilt over into the way they approached their second innings run chase. After everything that happened in Ahmedabad and then losing the toss, this is a serious win."

"He held his hands up; he didn't play two of the best shots he's ever played," added Cook. "(But) you can see how damaging he can be.

"Not many people in England - or the world - can play like that."

Pietersen said: "It's a great feeling to get a Test century and help us win. It's a wonderful, wonderful occasion to be standing here having won.

"It's nice to be back playing. It's special to be part of this team and the dressing room is certainly united."

It was only England's second victory in 14 Tests in India stretching back to 1985 - and was achieved after they lost the toss for a second successive game and were asked to bowl first on a pitch seemingly tailor-made for India's three spinners.

"It's been an amazing three days," said Cook, whose 122 helped England establish a crucial first-innings lead of 86.

"Last week was a tough week for us and we had a lot of negative press over the way we played.

"We've stuck to our guns. We know we can play well in these conditions. This week we did.

We are using archive pictures for this Test because several photo agencies, including Getty Images, have been barred from the ground following a dispute with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, while other agencies have withdrawn their photographers in protest.